Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) volunteers play a significant role in the success of our students. The District recognizes and appreciates the invaluable service provided for our students to reach their highest potential, in order to succeed in tomorrow’s world.

A BCPS volunteer is an individual with a sincere interest in contributing to the education of our students. Volunteers actively serve during regular hours at one or more schools or departments, several hours at a special one-time activity or event or work on school projects at home. Under the supervision of school or department personnel, a volunteer provides supportive assistance, which complements and enriches the environment.

Student records, also known as education records, created and/or maintained by The School Board of Broward County, Florida, are official and confidential documents protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA), Florida Statutes, Public Records Law, School Board policy 5100.1 (Student Records: Confidentiality and Family Educational Rights), and other School Board policies

School Board policy 5100.1 states that only school officials* should have access to student information which may include students’ grades, academic performance, and behavior during school hours (including but not limited to behavior observed in a classroom setting, cafeteria, etc.), disabilities, personal matters and family matters.

*A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health and medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task that would normally be performed by SBBC personnel (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant or therapist); a clerical or paraprofessional staff member assisting another school official in performing his or her professional tasks.

CAUTION: Volunteers (including parents assisting at the school) and students assisting teachers and other staff are not “school officials” and are not permitted to have access to other students’ personally identifiable information.

The District is committed to protecting student records from unauthorized disclosure and honoring the privacy rights of our students and their families. For more information about the District’s privacy standards, visit the Privacy Information homepage.

NOTE: Level 2 screening is requested by the school administration and is completed every five years. However, an updated Security Background Check form must be submitted annually in order to renew a volunteer’s Level 2 clearance.

HOW DO I BECOME A SCHOOL VOLUNTEER?

Wait one week and contact the school or department you selected to check your approval status.

Visit the school or department for your volunteer badge. This badge may be used at any District location during the school year.

I AM A BCPS EMPLOYEE. DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION?

All volunteers, including BCPS employees, must complete the volunteer application. BCPS employees, however, are exempt from the level 2 clearance requirements and do not need to be fingerprinted, if required for volunteer duty.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT VOLUNTEER SERVICES ARE NEEDED?

Volunteers must attend an orientation workshop at the preferred location. At this workshop, the School Volunteer Liaison will discuss volunteer opportunities.

CAN VOLUNTEERS HAVE ACCESS TO STUDENT INFORMATION?

School Board policy 5100.1 states that only school officials* should have access to student information which may include students’ grades, academic performance, and behavior during school hours (including but not limited to behavior observed in a classroom setting, cafeteria, etc.), disabilities, personal matters and family matters.

*A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health and medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task that would normally be performed by SBBC personnel (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant or therapist); a clerical or paraprofessional staff member assisting another school official in performing his or her professional tasks.

DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE LEVEL 2 SCREENING PROCESS?

Level 2 screening is ONLY required for volunteers serving as overnight field trip chaperones (excluding Grad Night), and athletic and band coaches.

CAN I BE ALONE WITH STUDENTS IN A CLASSROOM?

Volunteers should not be left alone with students at any time.

DO I NEED TO SIGN IN AND OUT EACH TIME I VISIT A SCHOOL?

The safety of our students is our number one priority. All volunteers must scan their badges when entering and leaving a school campus.Note: The STAR database is used to track your volunteer hours, so scanning out is equally as important.

I AM RETIRED. CAN I STILL VOLUNTEER?

BCPS welcomes experienced individuals to serve as volunteers. Many retired and senior citizens currently volunteer in our schools and departments.